How much about your characters do you really know?

Small details might seem superfluous even irrelevant to the story you intend to write, but the smallest detail informs the bigger picture. The more you know about your characters, the better youll create believable characters who live and breathe on the page and in their own fictional world. Take time to answer each of these questions candidly and deeply. Expand your responses to include other questions that may arise. 1. What do you know about this character now that s/he doesnt yet know? 2. What is this characters greatest flaw? 3. What do you know about this character that s/he would never admit? 4. What is this characters greatest asset? 5. If this character could choose a different identity, who would s/he be? 6. What music does this character sing to when no one else is around? 7. In what or whom does this character have the greatest faith? 8. What is this characters favorite movie? 9. Does this character have a favorite article of clothing? Favorite shoes? 10. Does this character have a vice? Name it. 11. Name this characters favorite person (living or dead). 12. What is this characters secret wish? 13. What is this characters proudest achievement? 14. Describe this characters most embarrassing moment. 15. What is this characters deepest regret? 16. What is this characters greatest fear? 17. Describe this characters most devastating moment. 18. What is this characters greatest achievement? 19. What is this characters greatest hope? 20. Does this character have an obsession? Name it. 21. What is this characters greatest disappointment? 22. What is this characters worst nightmare? 23. Whom does this character most wish to please? Why? 24. Describe this characters mother. 25. Describe this characters father. 26. If s/he had to choose, with whom would this character prefer to live? 27. Where does this character fall in birth order? What effect does this have? 28. Describe this characters siblings or other close relatives.

29. Describe this characters bedroom. Include three cherished items. 30. What is this characters birth date? How does this character manifest traits of his/her astrological sign? 31. If this character had to live in seclusion for six months, what six items would s/he bring? 32. Why is this character angry? 33. What calms this character? 34. Describe a recurring dream or nightmare this character might have. 35. List the choices (not circumstances) that led this character to his/her current predicament. 36. List the circumstances over which this character has no control. 37. What wakes this character in the middle of the night? 38. How would a stranger describe this character? 39. What does this character resolve to do differently every morning? 40. Who depends on this character? Why? 41. If this character knew s/he had exactly one month to live, what would s/he do? 42. How would a dear friend or relative describe this character? 43. What is this characters most noticeable physical attribute? 44. What is this character hiding from him/herself? 45. Write one additional thing about your character.